Fort Ord National Monument - Recreation Opportunities

The Fort Ord National Monument offers world-class recreation for residents and visitors to the Central California Coast. Lands of the former Fort Ord offer 86 miles of trail on approximately 7,200 acres - open every day from dawn to dusk for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, wildlife/wildflower photographers and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can choose to walk or ride the narrow single track trails atop the grassland hills or the generous winding trails through oak woodlands and maritime chaparral.

Follow Highway 68 for 2.3 miles and then take exit 20 for Reservation Rd/River Rd. Turn right onto County Rd G17/River Rd, then take the 1st left onto Portola Drive and continue onto Creekside Terrace. The Creekside Trailhead parking area is approximately 0.5 miles down the road.

Follow Highway 68 for 9 miles, make a right into Laguna Seca Recreation Area, and take the first right onto "A" Rd. Continue up the hill for 1 mile, and make a slight right at the "Y" onto S. Perimeter Rd. The parking area for the Laguna Seca Trailhead is on the left side of the road, opposite the restrooms. Follow the signs through the campgrounds to reach the trailhead.

There are many stories to be told on the former Fort Ord - some are found under logs or in wetlands. Some stories are found in diaries and notes from long-ago travelers: visitors are able to re-trace the steps of Juan Bautista de Anza who led a overland colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to upper California in 1775-1776. His route was reconstructed by comparing geographic features to details described in Anza's diary as he led about 240 people from Mexico through Arizona and into California. His expedition resulted in the establishment of the Presidio of San Francisco de Asis. The BLM manages portions of the trail in cooperation with the National Park Service. The National Park Service administers the entire trail system in partnership with many private, local, state and federal agencies including the BLM. Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is one of many National Historic Trails on BLM lands.